WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Three On Your Side Investigates: Mississippi Diploma Mills

Three On Your Side Investigates: Mississippi Diploma Mills

By Marsha Thompson
marsha@wlbt.net

College students will soon be hitting the books. The goal, diplomas and good jobs. But others may cheat. Some opt out for the "easy degree" churned out by illegal diploma mills. Officials with the Institution of Higher Learning say  Mississippi is a mecca for these "degrees of suspicion."

A college diploma, it represents hard work, academic achievement. Adrea Nelson is looking forward to getting out of college and into the work force. "I'll be graduating in May, it seems like it will all pay off." It takes time and money for students to get a sheepskin these days like Adrea, a senior at Ole Miss. Adrea said, "Most employers probably look for a college degree especially in the field I'm trying to get into." but there are ways to get around taking all those college credits. And some folks are getting fleeced with phony Ph.D's and lesser degrees.

 Affordable online Bachelors' Master's and Doctorate degrees, you simply need sufficient life experiences to get the diploma. Even  more astounding this reporter received an e-mail from a viewer.  It states that within a few days you could be a college graduate. So dial now. We did.

One higher education official told WLBT they don't have a grasp of just how big this multi-million dollar world of diploma mills is in Mississippi.  Non-approved entities operating in Mississippi according to the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation include the following.

American University of Hawaii in Clinton, Gulfport; American World University of MS, Inc. in Pascagoula; Bienville University of Mississippi in Woodville; Cambridge State University, Inc. in Jackson; Columbus University in Picayune; Lacrosse University, Inc. in Bay St. Louis; Madison University in Gulfport; Novus University International, Inc. in Diamondhead, Slidell, LA and University of Central Europe (Global Headquarters-Mississippi) in Pascagoula.

We tracked down Cambridge State University, Incorporated . It operates out of Jackson there's a phone number but you won't find an address.

Oregon's official degree authorization website cites Mississippi for having the worst college oversight law in the country, allowing any private business to issue degrees with no state approval. It warns that degrees issued by unaccredited private colleges in Alabama, Idaho, Mississippi or Wyoming should be evacuated with great caution.  As Adrea realizes, "I don't think any legitimate employer would accept this one over a real college degree." Students and employers are warned, do your homework and don't get fleeced.

College professor's, even employees working in upper echelon corporations have bought and used these phony credentials on resumes. Wlbt contacted the Institutions of Higher Learning for comment. The IHL tells us a tougher law went into effect July 1st making it easier to go after  non-approved degree businesses cropping up in the state.  It reads in part,  all colleges and universities not already authorized to grant degrees to students graduating from their courses must be approved by the commission in order to grant diplomas of graduation or degrees.  The provisions of this section shall not apply to private commercial schools and colleges.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation  (601)432-6372